M52

Dragging out the ol' soapbox.

December 08 2010

This is not the first time I've been on the site. Some of the regulars MIGHT remember me as the He in ShuttleZ from a long while ago.I only point that out due to the fact that i may be remembered for a rant I once gave about the use of language. Specifically aimed at some using "text speak" in their messages and profiles.Deep breath and step on the soapbox. First of all, this is only my opinion. You, the reader, are sure to have your own and in no way am I advocating, endorsing or instigating a personal attack on any specific member. This is a general rant about an issue I feel passionate about and am not setting about to change your own equally valid opinion.What on earth has happened to the correct usage of the English language?Looking at many of the profiles listed on the site, I see that the prevalence of "text speak" is becoming more and more invasive where, I feel, it is both unnecessary, superfluous and, here is where my opinion comes in most strongly, a rather large turn off.The English language, itself, can be expressive and beautiful in it's use and form if applied correctly and such abbreviations and replacements do nothing else but ruin the beauty possible if but some small amount of time is spent piecing together these words so as to allow imagination to take flight.These are tricks that most writers employ in order to attract and hold your attention when reading a novel. It is all down to the use of words and the same principle is involved when writing your profile.Expression, passion, description and a question are what usually attracts me. If nothing else, when I read a carefully thought out and structured profile, the immediate attraction is one where I would like to know this person for their opinions and intelligence. We may not agree or see eye to eye in some things but that meeting of minds is what makes relationships fascinating and conversations entertaining and, honestly for me at least, that person very attractive.Text speak, in itself for me, speaks of a lazy mind. It does not take an age to type something on a keyboard and doing so does provides you time to formulate your words and ensure that your goals, aims and desires are written plainly for those who read to understand what your intentions are. Text speak bypasses all this and leaves me quite "turned off", to coin a phrase, as in my mind, if this person is lazy in their words, where else in their life are they equally inattentive.I mind is a terrible thing to waste and a VERY sexy organ when used to it's full potential.I will step down from my soap box now and await your opinion. Remember that each one of you has an equal opinion and one that is worthy of voicing.(the sole exception will be that one smartass that will write a reply solely in text speak and think that in some ridiculous way that it is humorous)Mike.xxx

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RHP User

15 years ago

reading through that i was trying to work out how i could write my reply all in text speak haha...yes i would be that smartarse...who would have thunk it??? i agree sometimes text speak is so bad i have to ask my teen what it says or by the time iv worked it out i have a headache i dont mind if someone cant write down how they are feeling or cant say what they would like to say in their profile as long as they can speak it....sometimes i cant write sense for shit so i dont expect others too but then sometimes if the spelling is really bad il just turn away....il let of a couple of mistakes hell we all make mistakes but too many and nah...NEXT roxxy

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RHP User

15 years ago

I typo but I try to articulate... sometimes I cant type fast enough to get it all down and then I read back after Ive clicked send and cringe. I also missed two early school years due to 2 moves over seas and across continents so sometimes my spelling is a little amiss but I try!Can I get an A for effort?:PLS

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RHP User

15 years ago

i think txtspeak is a wonderful thing. there's no quicker indicator that the writer is not my type - makes deciding very easy indeed. interestingly, i've heard a few experts weigh in on this one, saying that: rather than the English language being degraded, we are instead learning an additional language. which is a wonderful thing - in its place. unfortunately, when it is used in place of proper English instead of in addition to it, that's when the rot sets in. and having said all of that, i can't help but write my texts out in full... i just love words, and language. i love how they can be combined to turn someone on, paint a picture, make a promise of things to come, shock with obscenity or raw lust, caress with gentleness, charm with wit, or make you laugh out loud with subtlety of phrase... now, somebody try to write that last sentence in txtspeak, and tell me it has the same impact.

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RHP User

15 years ago

I just love an articulate man. I am quite good at determining what the text speak actually means as I deal with teenagers texting me every day but that does not mean that I like it. The English language is a complicated and ever evolving thing. It may not sound as beautiful as the romance languages but it is still a huge turn on when a man does know how to string a sentence together and put it on paper. I have to admit to making many typos as well. The brain goes faster than the fingers, sometimes my nails get too long and hit the wrong key but I do try to edit what I have written before hitting the send button. I do agree that text talk will become a whole new language and be accepted as such. Just the same as Black Vernacular did in the Bronx. Now the teachers there must be able to speak black vernacular. How else do the students learn if they are not being understood?

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RHP User

15 years ago

I do agree that text speak, in itself, may be on the verge of becoming a separate language and I will admit my guilt in its use when the occasion arises (Oh, the shame) but I can not help cringe when I do. As Ms V has stated, I too find myself writing the majority of my texts in full with the exception being when sending a short message rather urgently.Spelling mistakes can, and will, happen. We are not infallible but a spelling mistake is not an indication of lazy articulation in itself. As stated, I believe that there is really no need to use this form in the attraction of a partner and really "gets my goat". Am I being to particular? Am I limiting myself? I do not believe so.If thou must love me, let it be for nought Except for love's sake only. Do not say 'I love her for her smile... her look... her way Of speaking gently, ... for a trick of thought That falls in well with mine, and certs brought A sense of pleasant ease on such a day' - For these things in themselves, Beloved, may Be changed, or change for thee, - and love, so wrought, May be unwrought so. Neither love me for Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, - A creature might forget to weep, who bore Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby! But love me for love's sake, that evermore Thou may'st love on, through love's eternityTo paraphrase Ms V, try to write that in text speak, and tell me it has the same impact.Mike.xxx

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RHP User

15 years ago

:D

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RHP User

15 years ago

i may miss a letter here and there and sometime too lazy to fix it or time poor but I have a dislike for authors who dont know when to use the right words... their - there your - you're bear - bare brought - bought weather - whether and the list goes on...

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Dragging out the ol' soapbox.

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